Ocular Implants with Asymmetric Flexibility

ABSTRACT

An ocular implant having a body extending along a generally curved longitudinal axis, the curved longitudinal axis defining a first plane, the body having a diameter of between 0.005 inches and 0.04 inches and being adapted to be disposed within a canal of Schlemm in a human subject&#39;s eye; wherein the body has a first flexibility when bent along the first plane and a second flexibility different from the first flexibility when bent along a second plane that intersects the first plane and is not coincident with the first plane. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of treating a human eye, including the steps of: inserting an implant into Schlemm&#39;s canal of a human eye, the implant having a first flexibility when bent along a first plane and a second flexibility different from the first flexibility when bent along a second plane that intersects the first plane and is not coincident with the first plane; and supporting tissue forming Schlemm&#39;s canal with the implant.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/860,318, filed Sep. 24, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices that are implanted within the eye. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices that facilitate the transfer of fluid from within one area of the eye to another area of the eye.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to a draft report by The National Eye Institute (NEI) at The United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), glaucoma is now the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and the second leading cause of blindness, behind cataract, in the world. Thus, the NEI draft report concludes, “it is critical that significant emphasis and resources continue to be devoted to determining the pathophysiology and management of this disease.” Glaucoma researchers have found a strong correlation between high intraocular pressure and glaucoma. For this reason, eye care professionals routinely screen patients for glaucoma by measuring intraocular pressure using a device known as a tonometer. Many modern tonometers make this measurement by blowing a sudden puff of air against the outer surface of the eye.

The eye can be conceptualized as a ball filled with fluid. There are two types of fluid inside the eye. The cavity behind the lens is filled with a viscous fluid known as vitreous humor. The cavities in front of the lens are filled with a fluid know as aqueous humor. Whenever a person views an object, he or she is viewing that object through both the vitreous humor and the aqueous humor.

Whenever a person views an object, he or she is also viewing that object through the cornea and the lens of the eye. In order to be transparent, the cornea and the lens can include no blood vessels. Accordingly, no blood flows through the cornea and the lens to provide nutrition to these tissues and to remove wastes from these tissues. Instead, these functions are performed by the aqueous humor. A continuous flow of aqueous humor through the eye provides nutrition to portions of the eye (e.g., the cornea and the lens) that have no blood vessels. This flow of aqueous humor also removes waste from these tissues.

Aqueous humor is produced by an organ known as the ciliary body. The ciliary body includes epithelial cells that continuously secrete aqueous humor. In a healthy eye, a stream of aqueous humor flows out of the anterior chamber of the eye through the trabecular meshwork and into Schlemm's canal as new aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelial cells of the ciliary body. This excess aqueous humor enters the venous blood stream from Schlemm's canal and is carried along with the venous blood leaving the eye.

When the natural drainage mechanisms of the eye stop functioning properly, the pressure inside the eye begins to rise. Researchers have theorized prolonged exposure to high intraocular pressure causes damage to the optic nerve that transmits sensory information from the eye to the brain. This damage to the optic nerve results in loss of peripheral vision. As glaucoma progresses, more and more of the visual field is lost until the patient is completely blind.

In addition to drug treatments, a variety of surgical treatments for glaucoma have been performed. For example, shunts were implanted to direct aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the extraocular vein (Lee and Scheppens, “Aqueous-venous shunt and intraocular pressure,” Investigative Opthalmology (February 1966)). Other early glaucoma treatment implants led from the anterior chamber to a sub-conjunctival bleb (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,296 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,362). Still others were shunts leading from the anterior chamber to a point just inside Schlemm's canal (Spiegel et al., “Schlemm's canal implant: a new method to lower intraocular pressure in patients with POAG?” Ophthalmic Surgery and Lasers (June 1999); U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,984; U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,984). In addition to drug treatments, a variety of surgical treatments for glaucoma have been performed. For example, shunts were implanted to direct aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the extraocular vein (Lee and Scheppens, “Aqueous-venous shunt and intraocular pressure,” Investigative Opthalmology (February 1966)). Other early glaucoma treatment implants led from the anterior chamber to a sub-conjunctival bleb (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,296 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,362). Still others were shunts leading from the anterior chamber to a point just inside Schlemm's canal (Spiegel et al., “Schlemm's canal implant: a new method to lower intraocular pressure in patients with POAG?” Ophthalmic Surgery and Lasers (June 1999); U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,984; U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,984).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

While some prior glaucoma treatment implants did provide a flow path between the anterior chamber and Schlemm's canal, these prior devices failed to recognize (1) the importance of supporting a significant portion of Schlemm's canal in a patent state or (2) the harm to adjacent tissue caused by relatively high fluid flow rates at or around any portion of the device. The ocular implant devices and methods of this invention address one or both of these design criteria.

According to one aspect of the invention, the ocular implant may be inserted into Schlemm's canal of an eye to facilitate the flow of aqueous humor out of the anterior chamber of the eye by, e.g., supporting tissue in the trabecular meshwork and in Schlemm's canal. The flow facilitated by the presence of the ocular implant may include axial flow along Schlemm's canal, flow into Schlemm's canal from the anterior chamber of the eye, and flow leaving Schlemm's canal via the outlets that communicate with the canal.

After exiting Schlemm's canal via the outlets, aqueous humor enters the venous blood stream and is carried along with the venous blood leaving the eye. The pressure of the venous system tends to be around 5-10 mm Hg above atmospheric pressure. Accordingly, the venous system provides a pressure backstop which assures that the pressure in the anterior chamber of the eye remains above atmospheric pressure.

Some exemplary ocular implants according to this invention have a body with a plurality of open areas, strut areas and spine areas formed therein. The strut areas and spine areas act as reinforcing structures that hold the walls of Schlemm's canal in a patent state so that the walls of the canal provide a flow channel or fistula. Furthermore, the spine areas and the strut areas may be sized and shaped to reinforce Schlemm's canal while occupying a relatively small portion of the total lateral cross sectional area of Schlemm's canal. When this is the case, the ocular implant provides minimal obstruction to aqueous humor flowing along the length of Schlemm's canal. Reinforcing Schlemm's canal with minimal metal mass present in the canal may also encourage a safe healing response over time.

Some exemplary ocular implants according to this invention have a body defining openings that are sized and shaped to facilitate the lateral flow of aqueous humor across and/or through the body of the ocular implant. The lateral flow of aqueous humor may include the flow of aqueous humor through the trabecular mesh and into Schlemm's canal. The lateral flow of aqueous humor may also include the flow of aqueous humor through outlets that communicate with Schlemm's canal.

One aspect of the invention provides an ocular implant having a body extending along a generally curved longitudinal axis, the curved longitudinal axis defining a first plane, the body having a diameter of between 0.005 inches and 0.04 inches and being adapted to be disposed within a canal of Schlemm in a human subject's eye; wherein the body has a first flexibility when bent along the first plane and a second flexibility different from the first flexibility when bent along a second plane that intersects the first plane and is not coincident with the first plane, such as, e.g., a plane orthogonal to the first plane. In some embodiments, the body has a shape that is symmetric about the first plane.

The implant of the invention may have a variety of features. In some embodiments, the implant body has circumferential material coverage in cross-sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that is less than 360 degrees over an entire length of the body. The body may define an elongate slot that opens radially outward when the body is unrestrained.

In some embodiments, the body has a plurality of pairs of tissue supporting frames and a spine attached to each adjacent pair of tissue supporting frames. Each spine may have a shape that is symmetric about the first plane, and each tissue supporting frame may have a shape that is symmetric about the first plane. In some embodiments, the spines are longitudinally aligned with one another.

In some embodiments, each spine has a first minor side, a first major side, a second minor side, and a second major side; with each spine having a thickness extending between at least one point on each major side and at least one point on the second major side; each spine having a width extending between at least one point on each minor side and at least one point on the second minor side; and an aspect ratio of the width to the thickness being greater than about 2. In some embodiments, the first major side and the second major side are opposite one another. Also, the first major side may have a concave surface, and the second major side may have a convex surface. The concave surface and the convex surface may be concentric.

In some embodiments, each tissue supporting frame has at least a first strut and a second strut. Each strut may follow, e.g., a circumferentially undulating path while extending longitudinally between a first spine and a second spine.

In some embodiments, each strut has a first minor side, a first major side, a second minor side, and a second major side. In such embodiments, each strut has a thickness extending between at least one point on the first major side and at least one point on the second major side; a width extending between at least one point on the first minor side and at least one point on the second minor side; and an aspect ratio of the width to the thickness being greater than about 2. In some embodiments, the first major side and the second major side are opposite one another. Also, the first major side may have a concave surface, and the second major side may have a convex surface. The concave surface and the convex surface may be concentric.

In some embodiments, the body of the ocular implant exhibits superelastic properties. The body may be made of nickel and titanium in appropriate proportions, such as, e.g., wherein the weight percent of nickel is between about 29.5 and about 50.5 weight percent and the weight percent of titanium is between about 29.5 and about 50.5 weight percent, based upon the total weight percent of the alloy.

In some embodiments of the ocular implant, the body extends through an arcuate range between about 60 degrees and about 180 degrees. A therapeutic agent may be deposited on the implant body in some embodiments. The therapeutic agent may be an anti-glaucoma drug, such as a prostaglandin analog (e.g., latanprost).

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of treating a human eye, including the steps of: inserting an implant into Schlemm's canal of a human eye, the implant having a first flexibility when bent along a first plane and a second flexibility different from the first flexibility when bent along a second plane that intersects the first plane and is not coincident with the first plane; and supporting tissue forming Schlemm's canal with the implant.

In some embodiments, the implant has an elongate slot, the method further including the step of orienting the elongate slot radially outward within Schlemm's canal. In some embodiments, the orienting step is performed at least in part by permitting the implant to self-orient with the canal. Some embodiments also add the step of providing fluid communication between an anterior chamber and the canal through the implant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the claims that follow. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a stylized perspective view depicting a portion of a human eye and a portion of an ocular implant disposed in Schlemm's canal.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of the implant of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a volume defined by the body of the ocular implant of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a first plane intersecting the body of an ocular implant.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a bending moment being applied to an ocular implant.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the implant shown in FIG. 5 but in the absence of any bending moment.

FIG. 7A is a lateral cross-sectional view of the ocular implant of FIG. 6 taken along section line A-A of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7B is a lateral cross-sectional view of the ocular implant of FIG. 6 taken along section line B-B of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the ocular implant of FIG. 6 taken along section line B-B of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the ocular implant of FIG. 6 taken along section line A-A of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an ocular implant according to another embodiment of the invention having a longitudinal radius of curvature that varies along its length.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an ocular implant according to yet another embodiment of the invention that has substantially no radius of curvature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a stylized perspective view depicting a portion of a human eye 20. Eye 20 can be conceptualized as a fluid filled ball having two chambers. Sclera 22 of eye 20 surrounds a posterior chamber 24 filled with a viscous fluid known as vitreous humor. Cornea 26 of eye 20 encloses an anterior chamber 30 that is filled with a fluid know as aqueous humor. The cornea 26 meets the sclera 22 at a limbus 28 of eye 20. A lens 32 of eye 20 is located between anterior chamber 30 and posterior chamber 24. Lens 32 is held in place by a number of ciliary zonules 34.

Whenever a person views an object, he or she is viewing that object through the cornea, the aqueous humor, and the lens of the eye. In order to be transparent, the cornea and the lens can include no blood vessels. Accordingly, no blood flows through the cornea and the lens to provide nutrition to these tissues and to remove wastes from these tissues. Instead, these functions are performed by the aqueous humor. A continuous flow of aqueous humor through the eye provides nutrition to portions of the eye (e.g., the cornea and the lens) that have no blood vessels. This flow of aqueous humor also removes waste from these tissues.

Aqueous humor is produced by an organ known as the ciliary body. The ciliary body includes epithelial cells that continuously secrete aqueous humor. In a healthy eye, a stream of aqueous humor flows out of the eye as new aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelial cells of the ciliary body. This excess aqueous humor enters the blood stream and is carried away by venous blood leaving the eye.

In a healthy eye, aqueous humor flows out of the anterior chamber 30 through the trabecular meshwork 36 and into Schlemm's canal 38, located at the outer edge of the iris 42. Aqueous humor exits Schlemm's canal 38 by flowing through a number of outlets 40. After leaving Schlemm's canal 38, aqueous humor is absorbed into the venous blood stream.

In FIG. 1, an ocular implant 100 is disposed in Schlemm's canal 38 of eye 20. Ocular implant 100 has a body 102 including a plurality of tissue supporting frames 104 and a plurality of spines 106. Body 102 also includes a first edge 120 and a second edge 122 that define a first opening 124. First opening 124 is formed as a slot and fluidly communicates with an elongate channel 126 defined by an inner surface 128 of body 102. With reference to FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that first opening 124 is disposed on an outer side 130 of body 102. Accordingly, channel 126 opens in a radially outward direction 132 via first opening 124.

Ocular implant 100 may be inserted into Schlemm's canal of a human eye to facilitate the flow of aqueous humor out of the anterior chamber. This flow may include axial flow along Schlemm's canal, flow from the anterior chamber into Schlemm's canal, and flow leaving Schlemm's canal via outlets communicating with Schlemm's canal. When in place within the eye, ocular implant 100 will support trabecular mesh tissue and Schlemm's canal tissue and will provide for improved communication between the anterior chamber and Schlemm's canal (via the trabecular meshwork) and between pockets or compartments along Schlemm's canal. As shown in FIG. 1, the implant is preferably oriented so that the first opening 124 is disposed radially outwardly within Schlemm's canal.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of ocular implant 100 shown in the previous figure. Ocular implant 100 has a body 102 that extends along a generally curved longitudinal axis 134. Body 102 has a plurality of tissue supporting frames 104 and a plurality of spines 106. As shown in FIG. 2, these spines 106 and frames 104 are arranged in a repeating AB pattern in which each A is a tissue supporting frame and each B is a spine. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, one spine extends between each adjacent pair of frames 104

The frames 104 of body 102 include a first frame 136 of ocular implant 100 that is disposed between a first spine 140 and a second spine 142. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, first frame 136 is formed as a first strut 144 that extends between first spine 140 and second spine 142. First frame 136 also includes a second strut 146 extending between first spine 140 and second spine 142. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, each strut undulates in a circumferential direction as it extends longitudinally between first spine 140 and second spine 142.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, body 102 has a longitudinal radius 150 and a lateral radius 148. Body 102 of ocular implant 100 includes a first edge 120 and a second edge 122 that define a first opening 124. First opening 124 fluidly communicates with an elongate channel 126 defined by an inner surface 128 of body 102. A second opening 138 is defined by a second edge 122A of a first strut 144 and a second edge 122B of a second strut 146. First opening 124, second opening 138 and additional openings defined by ocular implant 100 allow aqueous humor to flow laterally across and/or laterally through ocular implant 100. The outer surfaces of body 102 define a volume 152.

FIG. 3 is an additional perspective view showing volume 152 defined by the body of the ocular implant shown in the previous figure. With reference to FIG. 3, it will be appreciated that volume 152 extends along a generally curved longitudinal axis 134. Volume 152 has a longitudinal radius 150, a lateral radius 148, and a generally circular lateral cross section 153.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a first plane 154 and a second plane 155 that both intersect ocular implant 100. In FIG. 4, first plane 154 is delineated with hatch marks. With reference to FIG. 4, it will be appreciated that spines 106 of body 102 are generally aligned with one another and that first plane 154 intersects all spines 106 shown in FIG. 4. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, body 102 of ocular implant 100 is generally symmetric about first plane 154.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the flexibility of body 102 is at a maximum when body 102 is bending along first plane 154, and body 102 has less flexibility when bending along a plane other than first plane 154 (e.g., a plane that intersects first plane 154). For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, body 102 has a second flexibility when bending along second plane 155 that is less than the first flexibility that body 102 has when bending along first plane 154.

Stated another way, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the bending modulus of body 102 is at a minimum when body 102 is bent along first plane 154. Body 102 has a first bending modulus when bent along first plane 154 and a greater bending modulus when bent along a plane other than first plane 154 (e.g., a plane that intersects first plane 154). For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, body 102 has a second bending modulus when bent along second plane 155 that is greater than the first bending modulus that body 102 has when bent along first plane 154.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of ocular implant 100 shown in the previous figure. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, a bending moment M is being applied to body 102 of ocular implant 100. Bending moment M acts about a first axis 156 that is generally orthogonal to first plane 154. A second axis 158 and a third axis 160 are also shown in FIG. 5. Second axis 158 is generally perpendicular to first axis 156. Third axis 160 is skewed relative to first axis 156.

An inner surface 128 of body 102 defines a channel 126. Body 102 of ocular implant 100 includes a first edge 120 and a second edge 123 that define a first opening 124. Channel 126 of ocular implant 100 fluidly communicates with first opening 124. A second opening 138 is defined by a second edge 122A of a first strut 144 and a second edge 122B of a second strut 146. First opening 124, second opening 138 and additional openings defined by ocular implant 100 allow aqueous humor to flow laterally across and/or laterally through ocular implant 100.

As shown in FIG. 5, ocular implant 100 has a first spine 140 and a second spine 142. First strut 144 and a second strut 146 form a first frame 136 of ocular implant 100 that extends between first spine 140 and second spine 142. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, each strut undulates in a circumferential direction as it extends longitudinally between first spine 140 and second spine 142.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the flexibility of body 102 is at a maximum when body 102 is bent by a moment acting about first axis 156, and body 102 has less flexibility when bent by a moment acting about an axis other than first axis 156 (e.g., second axis 158 and third axis 160). Stated another way, the bending modulus of body 102 is at a minimum when body 102 is bent by a moment acting about first axis 156, and body 102 has a greater bending modulus when bent by a moment acting about an axis other than first axis 156 (e.g., second axis 158 and third axis 160).

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing ocular implant 100 shown in the previous figure. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, no external forces are acting on body 102 of ocular implant 100, and body 102 is free to assume the generally curved resting shape depicted in FIG. 6. Body 102 defines a first opening 124 that is disposed on an outer side 130 of body 102. A channel 126 is defined by the inner surface of body 102 and opens in a radially outward direction 132 via first opening 124.

Section lines A-A and B-B are visible in FIG. 6. Section line A-A intersects a first frame 136 of ocular implant 100. Section line B-B intersects a first spine 140 of ocular implant 100.

FIG. 7A is a lateral cross-sectional view of ocular implant 100 taken along section line A-A shown in the previous figure. Section line A-A intersects a first strut 144 and a second strut 146 of first frame 136 at the point where the circumferential undulation of these struts is at its maximum. Body 102 of ocular implant 100 has a longitudinal radius 150 and a lateral radius 148. An inner surface 128 of body 102 defines a channel 126. A first opening 124 fluidly communicates with channel 126.

In FIG. 7A, first opening 124 in body 102 can be seen extending between first edge 120A of first strut 144 and a first edge 120B of second strut 146. With reference to FIG. 7A, it will be appreciated that second strut 146 has a shape that is a mirror image of the shape of first strut 144.

FIG. 7B is a lateral cross-sectional view of ocular implant 100 taken along section line B-B shown in the previous figure. Section line B-B intersects first spine 140 of ocular implant 100. Body 102 has a longitudinal radius 150 and a lateral radius 148. In the embodiment of FIG. 7B, the center 159 of lateral radius 148 and the center 163 of longitudinal radius 150 are disposed on opposite sides of first spine 140. The center 159 of lateral radius 148 is disposed on a first side of first spine 140. The center 163 of longitudinal radius 150 is disposed on a second side of second spine 142.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of ocular implant 100 taken along section line B-B of FIG. 6. First spine 140 includes a first major side 160, a second major side 162, a first minor side 164, and second minor side 166. With reference to FIG. 8, it will be appreciated that first major side 160 comprises a concave surface 168. Second major side 162 is opposite first major side 160. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, second major side 162 comprises a convex surface 170.

The geometry of the spine provides the ocular implant with flexibility characteristics that may aid in advancing the ocular implant into Schlemm's canal. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, first spine 140 has a thickness T1 extending between first major side 160 and second major side 162. Also in the embodiment of FIG. 8, first spine 140 has a width W1 extending between first minor side 164 and second minor side 166.

In some useful embodiments, the spine of an ocular implant in accordance with this detailed description has an aspect ratio of width W1 to thickness T1 greater than about 2. In some particularly useful embodiments, the spine of an ocular implant in accordance with this detailed description has an aspect ratio of width W1 to thickness T1 greater than about 4. In one useful embodiment, the ocular implant has a spine with an aspect ratio of width W1 to thickness T1 of about 5.2.

A first axis 156, a second axis 158 and a third axis 160 are shown in FIG. 8. Second axis 158 is generally perpendicular to first axis 156. Third axis 160 is skewed relative to first axis 156.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the flexibility of first spine 140 is at a maximum when first spine 140 is bent by a moment acting about first axis 156. First spine 140 has a first flexibility when bent by a moment acting about first axis 156 and less flexibility when bent by a moment acting about an axis other than first axis 156 (e.g., second axis 158 and third axis 160). For example, first spine 140 has a second flexibility when bent by a moment acting about second axis 158 shown in FIG. 8. This second flexibility is less than the first flexibility that first spine 140 has when bent by a moment acting about first axis 156.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the bending modulus of first spine 140 is at a minimum when first spine 140 is bent by a moment acting about first axis 156. First spine 140 has a first bending modulus when bent by a moment acting about first axis 156 and a greater bending modulus when bent by a moment acting about an axis other than first axis 156 (e.g., second axis 158 and third axis 160). For example, first spine 140 has a second bending modulus when bent by a moment acting about second axis 158 shown in FIG. 8. This second bending modulus is greater than the first bending modulus that first spine 140 has when bent by a moment acting about first axis 156.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of ocular implant 100 taken along section line A-A of FIG. 6. Section line A-A intersects first strut 144 and second strut 146 at the point where the circumferential undulation of these struts is at its maximum.

Each strut shown in FIG. 9 includes a first major side 160, a second major side 162, a first minor side 164, and second minor side 166. With reference to FIG. 9, it will be appreciated that each first major side 160 comprises a concave surface 168 and each second major side 162 comprises a convex surface 170.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, each strut has a thickness T2 extending between first major side 160 and second major side 162. Also in the embodiment of FIG. 9, each strut has a width W2 extending between first minor side 164 and second minor side 166. In some useful embodiments, an ocular implant in accordance with this detailed description includes spines having a width W1 that is greater than the width W2 of the struts of the ocular implant.

In some useful embodiments, the struts of an ocular implant in accordance with this detailed description have an aspect ratio of width W2 to thickness T2 greater than about 2. In some particularly useful embodiments, the struts of an ocular implant in accordance with this detailed description have an aspect ratio of width W2 to thickness T2 greater than about 4. One exemplary ocular implant has struts with an aspect ratio of width W2 to thickness T2 of about 4.4.

Body 102 of ocular implant 100 has a longitudinal radius 150 and a lateral radius 148. In some useful embodiments, an ocular implant in accordance with this detailed description is sufficiently flexible to assume a shape matching the longitudinal curvature of Schlemm's canal when the ocular implant advanced into the eye. Also in some useful embodiments, a length of the ocular implant is selected so that the implant will extend across a pre-selected angular span when the implant is positioned in Schlemm's canal. Examples of pre-selected angular spans that may be suitable in some applications include 60°, 90°, 150° and 180°. The diameter of an ocular implant in accordance with this detailed description may be selected so that the ocular implant is dimensioned to lie within and support Schlemm's canal. In some useful embodiments, the diameter of the ocular implant ranges between about 0.005 inches and about 0.04 inches. In some particularly useful embodiments, the diameter of the ocular implant ranges between about 0.005 inches and about 0.02 inches.

It is to be appreciated that an ocular implant in accordance with the present detailed description may be straight or curved. If the ocular implant is curved, it may have a substantially uniform longitudinal radius throughout its length, or the longitudinal radius of the ocular implant may vary along its length. FIG. 6 shows one example of an ocular implant having a substantially uniform radius of curvature. FIG. 10 shows one example of an ocular implant having a longitudinal radius of curvature that varies along the length of the ocular implant. An example of a substantially straight ocular implant is shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an ocular implant 200 having a radius of curvature that varies along its length. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, ocular implant 200 has an at rest shape that is generally curved. This at rest shape can be established, for example, using a heat-setting process. The ocular implant shape shown in FIG. 10 includes a distal radius RA, a proximal radius RC, and an intermediate radius RB. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, distal radius RA is larger than both intermediate radius RB and proximal radius RC. Also in the embodiment of FIG. 10, intermediate radius RB is larger than proximal radius RC and smaller than distal radius RA. In one useful embodiment, distal radius RA is about 0.320 inches, intermediate radius RB is about 0.225 inches and proximal radius RC is about 0.205 inches.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, a distal portion of the ocular implant follows an arc extending across an angle AA. A proximal portion of the ocular implant follows an arc extending across an angle AC. An intermediate portion of the ocular implant is disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The intermediate portion extends across an angle AB. In one useful embodiment, angle AA is about 55 degrees, angle AB is about 79 degrees and angle AC is about 60 degrees.

Ocular implant 200 may be used in conjunction with a method of treating the eye of a human patient for a disease and/or disorder (e.g., glaucoma). Some such methods may include the step of inserting a core member into a lumen defined by ocular implant 200. The core member may comprise, for example, a wire or tube. The distal end of the ocular implant may be inserted into Schlemm's canal. The ocular implant and the core member may then be advanced into Schlemm's canal until the ocular implant has reached a desired position. In some embodiments, an inlet portion of the implant may be disposed in the anterior chamber of eye while the remainder of the implant extends through the trabecular mesh into Schlemm's canal. The core member may then be withdrawn from the ocular implant, leaving the implant in place to support tissue forming Schlemm's canal. Further details of ocular implant delivery systems may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/943,289, filed Nov. 20, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The flexibility and bending modulus features of the ocular implant of this invention help ensure proper orientation of the implant within Schlemm's canal. FIG. 1 shows the desired orientation of opening 124 when the implant 100 is disposed in Schlemm's canal. As shown, opening 124 faces radially outward. The implant 100 is therefore designed so that it is maximally flexible when bent along a plane defined by the longitudinal axis of implant 100 as shown in FIG. 1, and less flexible when bent in other planes, thereby enabling the curved shape of Schlemm's canal to help place the implant in this orientation automatically if the implant is initially placed in Schlemm's canal in a different orientation.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an ocular implant 300 in accordance with an additional embodiment in accordance with the present detailed description. With reference to FIG. 11, it will be appreciated that ocular implant 300 has a resting (i.e., unstressed) shape that is generally straight. Ocular implant 300 extends along a longitudinal axis 334 that is generally straight. In some useful embodiments, ocular implant 300 is sufficiently flexible to assume a curved shape when advanced into Schlemm's canal of an eye.

Ocular implant 300 comprises a body 302. With reference to FIG. 11, it will be appreciated that body 302 comprises a plurality of tissue supporting frames 304 and a plurality of spines 306. As shown in FIG. 11, these spines 306 and frames 304 are arranged in an alternating pattern in which one spine extends between each adjacent pair of frames 304. The frames 304 of body 302 include a first frame 336 of ocular implant 300 is disposed between a first spine 340 and a second spine 342. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, first frame 336 comprises a first strut 344 that extends between first spine 340 and second spine 342. A second strut 346 of first frame also extends between first spine 340 and second spine 342. Each strut undulates in a circumferential direction as it extends longitudinally between first spine 340 and second spine 342.

An inner surface 328 of body 302 defines a channel 326. Body 302 of ocular implant 300 includes a first edge 320 and a second edge 322 that define a first opening 324. Channel 326 of ocular implant 300 fluidly communicates with first opening 324. First strut 344 of first frame 336 comprises a first edge 325A. Second strut 346 has a first edge 325B. In FIG. 11, first opening 324 in body 302 can be seen extending between first edge 325A of first strut 344 and a first edge 325B of second strut 346.

A first axis 356, a second axis 358 and a third axis 360 are shown in FIG. 11. Second axis 358 is generally perpendicular to first axis 356. Third axis 360 is generally skewed relative to first axis 356. The flexibility of body 302 is at a maximum when body 302 is bent by a moment acting about first axis 356, and body 302 has less flexibility when bent by a moment acting about an axis other than first axis 356 (e.g., second axis 358 and third axis 360). Stated another way, in the embodiment of FIG. 11, the bending modulus of body 302 is at a minimum when body 302 is bent by a moment acting about first axis 356, and body 302 has a greater bending modulus when bent by a moment acting about an axis other than first axis 356 (e.g., second axis 358 and third axis 360).

Many of the figures illustrating embodiments of the invention show only portions of the ocular implant. It should be understood that many embodiments of the invention include an inlet portion (such as inlet 101 in FIG. 6 and inlet 201 in FIG. 10) that can be placed within the anterior chamber to provide communication of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber through the trabecular mesh into Schlemm's canal via the ocular implant. Further details of the inlet feature may be found in parent case U.S. application Ser. No. 11/860,318.

Various fabrication techniques may be used to fabricate the ocular implant. For example, the ocular implant can be fabricated by providing a generally flat sheet of material, cutting the sheet of material, and forming the material into a desired shape. By way of a second example, the ocular implant may be fabricated by providing a tube and laser cutting openings in the tube to form the ocular implant.

The ocular implant of this invention can be fabricated from various biocompatible materials possessing the necessary structural and mechanical attributes. Both metallic and non-metallic materials may be suitable. Examples of metallic materials include stainless steel, tantalum, gold, titanium, and nickel-titanium alloys known in the art as Nitinol. Nitinol is commercially available from Memory Technologies (Brookfield, Conn.), TiNi Alloy Company (San Leandro, Calif.), and Shape Memory Applications (Sunnyvale, Calif.).

The ocular implant may include one or more therapeutic agents. One or more therapeutic agents may, for example, be incorporated into a polymeric coating that is deposited onto the outer surfaces of the struts and spines of the ocular implant. The therapeutic agent may comprise, for example, an anti-glaucoma drug. Examples of anti-glaucoma drugs include prostaglandin analogs. Examples of prostaglandin analogs include latanprost.

While exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, modifications may be made, and it is therefore intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An ocular implant, comprising: a body extending along a generally curved longitudinal axis, the curved longitudinal axis defining a first plane, the body having a diameter of between 0.005 inches and 0.04 inches and being adapted to be disposed within a canal of Schlemm in a human subject's eye; wherein the body has a first flexibility when bent along the first plane and a second flexibility different from the first flexibility when bent along a second plane that intersects the first plane and is not coincident with the first plane.
 2. The ocular implant of claim 1, wherein the second plane is orthogonal to the first plane.
 3. The ocular implant of claim 1, wherein the body has circumferential material coverage in cross-sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that is less than 360 degrees over an entire length of the body.
 4. The ocular implant of claim 1, wherein the body defines an elongate slot that opens radially outward when the body is unrestrained.
 5. The ocular implant of claim 1, wherein the body has a shape that is symmetric about the first plane.
 6. The ocular implant of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a plurality of pairs of tissue supporting frames and a spine attached to each adjacent pair of tissue supporting frames.
 7. The ocular implant of claim 6, wherein each spine has a shape that is symmetric about the first plane.
 8. The ocular implant of claim 6, wherein: each spine comprises a first minor side, a first major side, a second minor side, and a second major side; each spine having a thickness extending between at least one point on each major side and at least one point on the second major side; each spine having a width extending between at least one point on each minor side and at least one point on the second minor side; an aspect ratio of the width to the thickness being greater than about
 2. 9. The ocular implant of claim 8, wherein the first major side comprises a concave surface.
 10. The ocular implant of claim 9, wherein the second major side comprises a convex surface.
 11. The ocular implant of claim 10, wherein the concave surface and the convex surface are concentric.
 12. The ocular implant of claim 8, wherein the first major side and the second major side are opposite one another.
 13. The ocular implant of claim 6, wherein the spines are longitudinally aligned with one another.
 14. The ocular implant of claim 6, wherein each tissue supporting frame has a shape that is symmetric about the first plane.
 15. The ocular implant of claim 6, wherein each tissue supporting frame comprises a first strut and a second strut.
 16. The ocular implant of claim 15, wherein each tissue supporting frame comprises only two struts.
 17. The ocular implant of claim 15, wherein each strut follows a circumferentially undulating path while extending longitudinally between a first spine and a second spine.
 18. The ocular implant of claim 15, wherein: each strut comprises a first minor side, a first major side, a second minor side, and a second major side; each strut having a thickness extending between at least one point on the first major side and at least one point on the second major side; each strut having a width extending between at least one point on the first minor side and at least one point on the second minor side; an aspect ratio of the width to the thickness being greater than about
 2. 19. The ocular implant of claim 18, wherein the first major side comprises a concave surface.
 20. The ocular implant of claim 18, wherein the second major side comprises a convex surface.
 21. The ocular implant of claim 18, wherein the concave surface and the convex surface are concentric.
 22. The ocular implant of claim 18, wherein the first major side and the second major side are opposite one another.
 23. The ocular implant of claim 1, wherein the body exhibits superelastic properties.
 24. The ocular implant of claim 1, wherein the body comprises nickel and titanium.
 25. The ocular implant of claim 24, wherein the weight percent of nickel is between about 29.5 and about 50.5 weight percent and the weight percent of titanium is between about 29.5 and about 50.5 weight percent, based upon the total weight percent of the alloy.
 26. The ocular implant of claim 1 wherein the body extends through an arcuate range between about 60 degrees and about 180 degrees.
 27. The ocular implant of claim 1 further comprising a therapeutic agent deposited on the body.
 28. The ocular implant of claim 27 wherein the a therapeutic agent comprises an anti-glaucoma drug.
 29. The ocular implant of claim 28, wherein the anti-glaucoma drug comprises a prostaglandin analog.
 30. The ocular implant of claim 29, wherein the prostaglandin analog comprises latanprost.
 31. A method of treating a human eye, comprising: inserting an implant into Schlemm's canal of a human eye, the implant having a first flexibility when bent along a first plane and a second flexibility different from the first flexibility when bent along a second plane that intersects the first plane and is not coincident with the first plane; and supporting tissue forming Schlemm's canal with the implant.
 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the implant comprises an elongate slot, the method further comprising orienting the elongate slot radially outward within Schlemm's canal.
 33. The method of claim 32 wherein the orienting step comprises permitting the implant to self-orient with the canal.
 34. The method of claim 31 further comprising providing fluid communication between an anterior chamber and the canal through the implant. 